"Countering the Conspiracy to Destroy Black Boys"
A spokesman for Clinton and officials with the Interim Haiti Recovery Commission did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
We have often heard about "Family Guy" fans choosing to spend large sums of money on everything from DVDs to merchandise of Stewie Griffin and some of Seth MacFarlane's other beloved characters ... but spending $25,000 on a custom-made necklace? That's a new one.
Continue reading on Examiner.com Justin Bieber’s ’Family Guy’ necklace carries $25,000 price tag - National TV | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/tv-in-national/justin-bieber-s-family-guy-necklace-ca...
Justin Bieber has been wearing some serious bling around his neck — a diamond-encrusted pendant of popular animated character Stewie from the hit cartoon Family Guy! And good thing the Biebs is ranked No. 3 on the Forbes 100 list, because a bedazzled Stewie will cost you.
According to TMZ, The Biebs spent $25,000 on his new Family Guy pendant, which is over 12 carats of rubies and diamonds.
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About 10 months after the 7.0 magnitude hit Haiti in 2010, the country was stricken with a cholera outbreak that killed nearly 5,000 people.
There were more people who were killed in the violence that spread due to the outbreak than were killed in the actual Earthquake.
The Cholera outbreak sparked “witch hunts” throughout the country, which resulted in the deaths of at least a dozen people. Also, violent protests and riots broke out.
At the time, many Haitians believed that the U.N. caused the epidemic. Then, the U.N. denied the accusation. However, it has been reported that the U.N. is now taking partial responsibility for the outbreak.
A bitterly divided U.S. Supreme Court ordered California on Monday to reduce its prison population by some 33,000 prisoners within the next two years.
By a 5-to-4 vote, the high court ruled that severe overcrowding in state prisons has resulted in extreme suffering and even death, a deprivation of the inmates' rights that violates the Constitution and the 1995 federal Prison Litigation Reform Act, as well.
California's 33 prisons, designed to house 80,000 inmates, housed twice that many prisoners by 2009.
"The California state prison system is the worst overcrowded system I have seen in my experience," says Wayne Scott, who headed the Texas prison system under then-Gov. George W. Bush.
Scott was one of many expert witnesses called in to look at the California system after 20 years of litigation and failure by the state to achieve reforms that it had agreed upon. Scott and other prison experts told a special three-judge court that overcrowding was the primary cause of the state prison's problems. The court then ordered the state to reduce the prison population to 137 percent of capacity, more than the 130 percent recommended by the Federal Bureau of Prisons.
Majority Opinion
The state appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court, and it lost on Monday. Writing for the five-member court majority, Justice Anthony Kennedy noted that the court has long held that prisoners are, in essence, wards of the state since they cannot provide for themselves. "Just as a prisoner may starve if not fed, he or she may suffer or die if not provided adequate medical care." Moreover, said Kennedy, a prison system that fails to provide basic medical care is "incompatible with the concept of human dignity and has no place in a civilized society." California, he said, by virtue of its overcrowding, violates the Constitution's ban on cruel and unusual punishment, and the courts "must not shrink from their constitutional obligation to 'enforce the rights of all persons, including prisoners.' "
In a 48-page opinion, Kennedy laid out some of the facts of the case. Prisoners are not only doubled and tripled up in 6-by-9 cells but are stacked in bunks in areas meant to be gymnasiums, classrooms and even clinics. As many as 54 prisoners use one toilet, breeding disease, and medical care is so deficient that one prisoner dies needlessly every six to seven days. On the mental health side, prisoners awaiting care are often housed in "tiny, phone-booth sized cages," with some inmates falling into hallucinations and catatonic states, and suicides well above national norms.
Justice Kennedy pointed out that the state had repeatedly agreed to fix these conditions by building more prisons, but the Legislature didn't provide the money, and the overcrowding just grew worse. Given California's ongoing budgetary crisis, Kennedy observed, there is no possibility the state can "build itself out of" its overcrowding problem, so the state will have to choose a combination of other methods, even perhaps release of nonviolent prisoners to reduce the state prison population. Joining Kennedy in the majority were Justices Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Stephen Breyer, Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan. Dissenters were Justices Antonin Scalia, joined by Justice Clarence Thomas in one dissenting opinion, and Justice Samuel Alito, joined by Chief Justice John Roberts in another.
Dissenting Opinion
In an angry oral dissent from the bench, a fired-up Scalia called the court's decision "radical," "outrageous" and "wildly beyond ... [the] institutional capacity" of courts. The result, he said, would be the release of tens of thousands of "happy-go-lucky felons." In his dissent, Alito accused the majority of "gambling with the safety of the people of California."
But California officials said they believe a recently enacted prison "realignment" program would prevent any early prisoner releases. "Our goal," said Matthew Cate, secretary of the California Department of Correction and Rehabilitation, "is not to release inmates at all. Through realignment, ideally, we would see that lower-level offenders ... would attrit out, having served their normal sentences, and they would not be replaced because the new offenders would be housed in county jail."
Jeanne Woodford, former warden of San Quentin Prison and former head of the California Department of Corrections, echoed that, saying, "I don't think the state of California has to release anyone, really." Woodford and other experts point to a variety of ways that California can reduce overcrowding, short of releasing prisoners. "This is really about making our minds up that prisons are for violent offenders" and less serious offenders "should be kept at the local level," said Woodford. She noted that it costs $50,000 per year to keep someone in state prison, compared with local jails, which can and do hold people more cheaply.
Indeed, California has recently enacted a prison realignment law to do just that, but the money has yet to be appropriated for the local transfers. The law also provides for more "good time" to reduce prison sentences, and other measures, including a provision to send parole violators to local jails instead of sending them for just a few months to the state prison system.
Donald Specter, whose litigation led to Monday's ruling, suggests there may have to be changes to California's three-strikes law, which imposes mandatory 25-year minimums on three-time offenders, even if their crimes are nonviolent. "There are a lot of second-strikers who get their sentence doubled just because they've had another strike. So, instead of a burglary being five years, automatically it's 10," Specter said.
California has two years to make all these changes, unless it can get the lower courts to give it an extension, something the Supreme Court suggested on Monday is an option the lower courts may consider.
Prosecutors say James Risen has information they need about a former CIA operative.
Two people familiar with the investigation told the AP that additional tests were being performed.
The Supreme Court said roughly 33,000 inmates will need to be transferred or released.
Strengthening of political institutions and social-economic development are two major challenges in Haiti and the United Nations will work closely with new Haitian President Michel Martelly to address these issues, the new UN head in the Caribbean nation said on Wednesday.Mariano Fernandez, who on Tuesday was appointed new chief of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (Minustah), told Xinhua in an interview that the UN "will center our task of collaborating in the institutionalization of the country" which has been plagued by political instability in the past.
"There is a new President, Michel Martelly, with whom we expect to work together. The stability of the country is a fundamental task, a requirement before all other issues," said Fernandez.
He said firm steps toward a sustainable economic development of Haiti are "urgently needed" and one such step is the renewed attempt to normalize the institutionalism in Haiti, as Martelly has said he will work on.
The second major challenge is to achieve viable economic and social development, where the international community can participate," Fernandez said, adding it is important that the development targets are "kept on track."
Martelly was officially inaugurated as Haiti's new president on Saturday. Shortly after the ceremony he said one of his main tasks will be to accelerate the reconstruction of the country from the earthquake in January 2010 which killed at least 250,000 people and left about 1.5 million homeless in the poorest country in the Americas.
"The reconstruction work after the earthquake represents a series of urgent problems which have to be approached and where the international community can contribute in a substantive way," said Fernandez.
He also stressed the importance of Latin American countries' presence in Haiti as part of the UN peace troops.
"For what I have been able to see there is a commitment to keep this compromise with Haiti. Chile just approved an extension by one year of its presence (in Haiti)" and other South American countries have made similar pledges, he said.
Fernandez said he was hopeful that Haiti is now entering a new stage in its history.
"There is a moment of hope. Latin America has been doing well recently, it has gained stability and development, and it is time for Haiti to join this," he said. Fernandez will officially take over his new position during the second week of June 2011.
Source: Xinhua
（Editor：燕勐）
The NEW UN HEAD to HAITI!
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ALBANY, N.Y., May 19, 2011 -- /PRNewswire/ -- Trans World Entertainment Corporation (Nasdaq: TWMC) today reported financial results for its first quarter ended April 30, 2011. For the first quarter of 2011, the Company reported a 78% improvement in net loss to $2.5 million, or $0.08 per share, as compared to a net loss of $11.4 million or $0.36 per share for the same period last year.
For the first quarter, total sales decreased 16.0% to $131.5 million compared to $156.5 million in 2010. Comparable store sales for the quarter decreased 2%. During the quarter, the Company operated an average of 451 stores compared to 548 stores last year, a 17.7% decline.
Gross profit for the quarter was $48.3 million or 36.7% of sales as compared to $51.5 million or 32.9% of sales for the same period last year. The increase in gross profit as a percentage of sales was due to higher margin rates across all product categories and the leveraging of distribution and freight expenses primarily due to the closing of a distribution center in Carson, California last year.
Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased 18.6% for the quarter to $48.3 million or 36.7% of sales, compared to $59.3 million, or 37.9% of sales in the comparable period last year. The reduction in SG&A expenses was due to the closing of underperforming stores and continued effective expense management.
Cash on hand at the end of the quarter was $29.7 million compared to $21.3 million at the end of the quarter last year. The Company did not require any borrowings under its line of credit during this year's first quarter.
Trans World will host a teleconference call today, Thursday, May 19, 2011, at 10:00 AM ET to discuss its financial results. Interested parties can listen to the simultaneous webcast on the Company's corporate website, www.twec.com.
Trans World Entertainment is a leading specialty retailer of entertainment software, including music, video and video games and related products. The Company operates retail stores in the United States, the District of Columbia, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico, primarily under the names f.y.e. for your entertainment and Suncoast and on the web at www.fye.com, www.wherehouse.com, and www.secondspin.com.
Certain statements in this release set forth management's intentions, plans, beliefs, expectations or predictions of the future based on current facts and analyses. Actual results may differ materially from those indicated in such statements. Additional information on factors that may affect the business and financial results of the Company can be found in filings of the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
- table to follow - TRANS WORLD ENTERTAINMENT CORPORATION Financial Results STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS: (in thousands, except per share data) Thirteen Weeks Ended April 30, % to May 1, % to 2011 Sales 2010 Sales Net sales $ 131,496 $ 156,539 Cost of sales 83,206 63.3% 105,014 67.1% Gross profit 48,290 36.7% 51,525 32.9% Selling, general and administrative expenses 48,254 36.7% 59,315 37.9% Depreciation and amortization 1,715 1.3% 2,863 1.8% Loss from operations (1,679) -1.3% (10,653) -6.8% Interest expense, net 832 0.6% 688 0.5% Loss before income taxes (2,511) -1.9% (11,341) -7.3% Income tax expense 36 0.0% 73 0.0% NET LOSS $ (2,547) -1.9% $ (11,414) -7.3% Basic and diluted loss per share: Basic and diluted loss per share $ (0.08) $ (0.36) Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - basic and diluted 31,425 31,395 SELECTED BALANCE SHEET CAPTIONS: (in thousands, except store data) April 30, 2011 May 1, 2010 Cash and cash equivalents $ 29,674 $ 21,275 Merchandise inventory 217,785 251,279 Fixed assets (net) 20,047 31,398 Accounts payable 71,021 74,764 Borrowings under line of credit - - Long-term debt, less current portion 5,149 6,545 Stores in operation 444 544 SOURCE Trans World Entertainment
Trans World Entertainment Announces First Quarter Result
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UF eases Haiti travel restrictions for students
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- The University of Florida is easing some restrictions on student and faculty trips to Haiti. University officials had limited undergraduate trips to Haiti after an earthquake and a subsequent cholera outbreak rattled the Caribbean country. Faculty and graduate students could travel to Haiti with the university's approval. A new Haiti travel policy was announced Friday. International Center Dean David Sammons said conditions had improved enough in Haiti for faculty, staff and graduate students to go there without needing his approval beforehand. Sammons said undergraduate students in university-sanctioned groups may travel to Haiti for academic reasons, but under very limited circumstances and only with his approval. Sammons said there's a "compelling interest for UF to be more prominently present in Haiti for educational, research and outreach activities."THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Read more: http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/05/16/2218934/uf-eases-haiti-travel-restrictions.html#ixzz1MdlWL7IK
Since sifting through dull newspapers, hyperbolic blogs, and overflowing RSS feeds for meaningful news can be an arduous process, News Net catches and compiles both the amusing and the significant reports that were overlooked over the weekend. Here are some things to think about as the workweek begins. • Just when you thought Summerfest didn’t have any more surprises up its cut-off sleeves, it goes and announces another big act. According theJournal Sentinel, none other than Britney Spears will headline a four-act bill July 9 at the Marcus Amphitheater. The former Mrs. Federline will be joined by Nicki Minaj, Jessie And The Toy Boys, and Nervo. Spears last played the Big Gig way back in 2000. • Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was in Milwaukee Friday to screen a new film he’s produced called On The Shoulders Of Giants. The film centers on the Harlem Rens, a basketball team from the ’30s that thrived in the face of racial prejudice. And just in case your dad thinks Abdul-Jabbar only tries during the playoffs, the former Milwaukee Buck would like to remind you that he’s been hearing that crap ever since he was at UCLA. He’s out there busting his buns every night. Tell your old man to drag Walton and Lanier up and down the court for 48 minutes. • If accordion lessons, 12 pairs of suspenders, and a thoughtfully well-groomed beard just aren’t fulfilling your old-timey needs, rejoice: A new men’s hat store, The Brass Rooster, has opened in Bay View. ThirdCoast Digest paid a visit to the new haberdashery. • Remember all of the good times you had in high-school art and gym classes? Yeah, neither do we. Luckily, today’s students won’t either, as MPS is set to all but eliminate these pesky subjects. TheJournal Sentinel has more on this terrific, not-depressing news. • Milwaukee Public Television debuted a new video about our city’s tireless bicycle messengers. • OnMilwaukee.com took a look at a brand-new Facebook phenomenon: poking. Have you guys heard about this? OMG! • We’re ashamed to admit it, but we completely overlooked yesterday’s annual Pug Fest. Thankfully, Milwaukee’s helpful Yelp commenters can fill you in on all of the zany pug action. “Pugs rule Humans dr00l!” Summerfest and Britney Spears: reunited, and it feels so good
KIIS FM's annual summer blowout has become a huge draw, not just for listeners around the Los Angeles area, but for pop artists vying for heavy rotation spins on the hit station. So it's no surprise that Wango Tango, now in its 14th year, pulled out the big guns at downtown L.A.'s Staples Center on Saturday. What did throw audiences and artists alike for a loop? The diversity of the lineup and one suave recovery by Jennifer Lopez after a technical glitch knocked her microphone out. Pitbull seemed to clue her in with a whisper in the ear. Ever the pro, Lopez shrugged off the malfunction, telling the crowd, "We're not gonna let that get us down, are we? Nobody keeps mama down." Lopez then instructed the band to take it from the top, jibing, "Somebody's getting fired tonight!" No doubt for the fans in the front rows, who got to see an encore presentation of the infectious hit, the snafu was worth it.Jennifer Lopez's Mic Malfunction Prompts Encore at KIIS-FM's Wango Tango
POP diva Jennifer Lopez performed at the Wango Tango concert at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California on Saturday night.
The 41-year-old singer took to her part in full force, looking stunningly-seductive in a skin-tight, glittering silver catsuit.
Showing off the talented and seasoned artist she is, Lopez flawlessly eased through her set in the midst of a major technical glitch that cut off all sound during her On the Floor performance.
After a second, successful and crowd-pleasing try at the song, Lopez took to her Twitter to laugh off the situation, writing, 'Really?! The whole sound system goes down? But..... No one holds Momma down! Haha! Live show, speakers out, fun times!'
5 Seconds Ke$ha performs at KIIS FM's Wango Tango in Los Angeles on Saturday, May 14, 2011. Dan Steinberg / AP Ke$ha, Britney Spears, Jude Law, Carlos Santana and other celebrities.
